This novel zebrafish model underscores the potential of VEGF for the treatment of ALS and furthermore will permit large-scale genetic and chemical screening to facilitate the identification of new therapeutic targets in motor neuron disease.
Our results suggest that SBMA motor neuronopathy involves altered expression of VEGF, consistent with a role for VEGF as a neurotrophic/survival factor in motor neuron disease.
Loss of HIF-2alpha and inhibition of VEGF impair fetal lung maturation, whereas treatment with VEGF prevents fatal respiratory distress in premature mice.